YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–Armenia attaches high importance to the development of bilateral relations and can become a reliable partner for Great Britain–Armenian President Robert Kocharian said at his October 6 meeting with British Foreign Office Representative John Carrey.
Expressing his satisfaction with the current state of bilateral relations–President Kocharian said that positive trends are obvious in the economic sphere: the trade turnover has considerably increased–and a number of serious British companies have already made investmen’s in Armenia. The president also stressed that the European Union is currently Armenia’s major economic partner–Great Britain playing a particularly important role.
Pointing out that the two countries are continuing an active political dialogue–Robert Kocharian emphasized the importance of contacts at a high level.
Carrey stated that Great Britain intends to develop cooperation with Armenia in different spheres. He stated that although economic issues are prevailing in the bilateral relations–great potential is available–and active cooperation is necessary.
The sides also discussed the Karabakh settlement and regional processes–as well as Armenia’s membership in the Council of Europe–pointing out the importance of soonest opening of the British Council in Armenia.
Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian also met with Carrey Friday to discuss the matters pertaining to bilateral relations and regional processes.
Carey told Oskanian that Great Britain was strongly determined to deepen and develop its cooperation with Armenia in various fields. The two mentioned the good prospects of mutually advantageous cooperation between Armenia and Great Britain in such spheres as trade–economy–politics and culture. They also highlighted the importance of further developing cooperation between the two countries within the framework of international structures.